New England Patriots Selling 8% Stake at $9 Billion Valuation

The New England Patriots are set to join a growing list of NFL franchises selling off minority stakes at sky-high valuations. According to reports from Sportico and CNBC, owner Robert Kraft has agreed to sell an 8% share of the team at a $9 billion valuation.

The deal involves billionaire Dean Metropoulos acquiring a 5% stake, while global investment firm Sixth Street Partners will purchase a 3% stake. The transaction remains subject to approval from the NFL’s finance committee and the other league owners.

Despite the sale, the Kraft family will still control more than 90% of the Patriots.

A Massive Return on Investment

Kraft bought the Patriots in 1994 for just $172 million, a move that many questioned at the time but that has since become one of the most lucrative investments in sports history. At the current $9 billion valuation, the 8% stake is worth approximately $720 million.

The franchise’s value has exploded over the past two decades, fueled by six Super Bowl championships under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, record-setting revenue growth across the NFL, and soaring broadcast deals.

Trend of Minority Stakes in the NFL

The Patriots’ move is part of a broader trend among NFL franchises. Earlier this month, the New York Giants sold a 10% minority stake to the Koch family at a valuation north of $10 billion. The Chicago Bears recently sold just over 2% of the team at an $8.9 billion valuation, while the San Francisco 49ers sold shares at around $8.6 billion.

These sales reflect how owners are capitalizing on skyrocketing franchise valuations without giving up majority control. Adding minority partners provides an immediate cash influx while helping to offset rising ownership costs, such as stadium upgrades and operating expenses.

Patriots’ Present and Future

Even as the Patriots struggle on the field since Tom Brady’s departure — missing the playoffs the past three years — their value hasn’t dipped. Forbes recently ranked the Patriots as the fourth-most valuable franchise in the NFL at $9 billion, trailing only the Cowboys, Rams, and Giants.

Reports indicate that the proceeds from the stake sale will be reinvested back into the franchise. The deal does not include the New England Revolution, the MLS club also owned by the Kraft family.